Alabama DUI/DWI Records
Alabama DUI records are public documents kept by county Circuit Courts and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. You can search these records online or in person at courthouses across the state.
Alabama DUI Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Alabama DUI Records
DUI records in Alabama come from several sources. The main place is the county Circuit Court where the case was heard. Each of the 67 counties keeps its own court files. These files hold arrest info, court dates, pleas, and final outcomes. The Circuit Clerk in each county stores these records. You can visit in person or search some records online through the state court system.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency runs the Criminal Justice Information Center. This is the central state database for all criminal records, and that includes DUI arrests. ALEA keeps fingerprint data and criminal history reports. A full background check costs $25 and shows all DUI convictions on file. You can request your own record or get one for employment screening purposes. Visit ALEA Criminal Records to learn more about this service.
Driver records from ALEA also show DUI-related license actions. These include suspensions and revocations tied to DUI arrests. A driving record costs $5.75 and can be ordered online at alabamadl.alea.gov. This record shows points and any DUI suspensions on your license in Alabama.
How to Search DUI Records Online
Alabama offers online access to court records through Alacourt. This system covers all 67 county courts. You can search by name or case number to find DUI cases. The site is open to anyone, and you do not need an account to search basic case info in Alabama.
The public access portal at pa.alacourt.com lets you look up DUI cases statewide. A name search costs $9.99 and includes one case detail. Each extra case costs $9.99 more. Document images cost $5.00 for the first 20 pages. Case monitoring is also available if you want alerts on a DUI case. District case monitoring costs $19.99 for the lifetime of the case. Circuit case monitoring costs $29.99. This is a quick way to find DUI records from home.
To search DUI records on Alacourt, you need:
- Full name of the person
- Approximate date of the arrest or filing
- County where the case was heard
Results show the case type, charges, court dates, and disposition. A disposition tells you how the case ended. It might show a conviction, dismissal, or plea deal. You can buy document images to see the full court file for any DUI case in Alabama.
Alabama DUI Laws Overview
Alabama takes DUI offenses seriously. The state has strict laws that affect how these cases show up in public records. Under Code of Alabama Section 32-5A-191, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under 21, the limit is just 0.02%. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit while on the job.
DUI convictions in Alabama are permanent. This is a key fact that sets Alabama apart from some other states. Under the REDEEMER Act (Code Section 15-27-1), DUI convictions cannot be expunged or sealed from your record. A DUI stays on your criminal history for life. Only charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal may be cleared from your record. This makes DUI records in Alabama especially important for background checks.
Alabama uses a 10-year look-back period for sentencing. This means judges look at DUI convictions from the past 10 years when setting penalties. A second DUI within 10 years brings harsher fines and jail time. A third DUI within 10 years is even worse. A fourth DUI conviction in any time frame becomes a Class C felony under Alabama law. Felony DUI carries prison time of one to 10 years.
The penalties for DUI in Alabama include:
- First offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $2,100, license suspension for 90 days
- Second offense: Jail time of 5 days to 1 year, fines up to $5,100, license revocation for 1 year
- Third offense: Jail time of 60 days to 1 year, fines up to $10,100, license revocation for 3 years
- Fourth offense: Felony charges, prison time of 1 to 10 years, license revocation for 5 years
State Agencies for DUI Records
Several state agencies handle DUI-related records in Alabama. Each one keeps different types of information. Knowing which agency to contact can save you time when searching for DUI records.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is the main source for criminal history checks. Their Criminal Justice Information Center stores arrest records, fingerprints, and conviction data for all crimes including DUI. You can request a criminal history check by mail or through their online portal. The fee is $25 for a state background check. ALEA is located at 301 S. Ripley Street in Montgomery. Call (334) 676-7897 or toll-free at 1-866-740-4762 for questions about DUI records.
The Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) runs the statewide court records system. This includes the Alacourt database that holds all DUI case files. The AOC also manages AlaFile for electronic filing and AlaPay for paying fines online. Their main office is at 300 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery. Call (334) 954-5000 for help with court records in Alabama.
The ALEA Driver License Division handles license suspensions tied to DUI arrests. They can tell you if a license is valid or suspended due to a DUI. You can also get a certified driving record that shows any DUI-related actions. The fee is $5.75 for a driving record. Visit alabamadl.alea.gov to order online or call (334) 676-6000.
What DUI Records Show
DUI records in Alabama contain several types of info. The exact details depend on the source. Court records show the most complete picture of a DUI case. Criminal history reports from ALEA show conviction data. Driver records show license actions only.
A DUI court record typically includes:
- Defendant's name and date of birth
- Arrest date and arresting agency
- Charges filed (DUI, DUI with injury, etc.)
- Blood alcohol content at time of arrest
- Court dates and appearances
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Final disposition and sentence
- Fines, jail time, and probation terms
Criminal history reports from ALEA show all DUI convictions on file. They include the date of conviction, the court, and the sentence. Arrests that did not lead to conviction may also appear but will show they were dismissed or dropped. Driver records from ALEA show license suspensions and revocations. They do not show the full details of the DUI case itself.
DUI records are public in Alabama. Under Code of Alabama Section 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records. This includes DUI court files. You do not need to give a reason to request these records. Anyone can search for DUI cases in Alabama.
Fees for DUI Records in Alabama
Fees vary based on what type of record you need and where you get it. Here are the main costs for DUI-related records in Alabama.
State-level fees include:
- Criminal history check from ALEA: $25.00
- Driving record (MVR): $5.75
- Alacourt name search: $9.99 per search
- Alacourt case detail: $9.99 per case
- Document images: $5.00 for first 20 pages
- Case monitoring (district): $19.99 lifetime
- Case monitoring (circuit): $29.99 lifetime
County fees vary by location. Most Circuit Clerks charge $1.00 per page for copies. Certified copies cost more. Some counties charge a search fee for staff time. Call the clerk in the county where the DUI case was heard for exact costs. DUI license reinstatement costs $275 through ALEA in Alabama.
Browse Alabama DUI Records by County
Each county in Alabama has its own Circuit Clerk who keeps DUI court records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for DUI records in that area.
DUI Records in Major Alabama Cities
Residents of major cities file DUI cases at their county Circuit Court. Municipal courts also handle some DUI arrests within city limits. Pick a city below to learn about DUI records in that area.